Qualifying place possible

LIVE from 5pm: Blau-Weiß Linz against WSG Tirol

Blau-Weiß Linz triumphed in a close match.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

In the 30th round of the Austrian Bundesliga, FC Blau-Weiß Linz secured a hard-fought 3-2 win against WSG Tirol. In a lively match, the Tyroleans missed out on a possible equalizer at the end of the game. Linz can therefore still speculate with a qualification match. 

Blau-Weiß Linz have celebrated three wins in a row for the first time in the Bundesliga and remain in the race for the European Cup play-offs. The promoted team won the clash for third place against WSG Tirol 3:2 (2:1) in the qualifying round on Saturday and go into the final two rounds three points behind second-placed WAC.

In the duel between the two clubs, who have been out of the relegation battle for a week now, Linz clearly dominated proceedings from the middle of the first half. The increasing pressure from the home side also led to chances, with Ronivaldo (23') and Conor Noß (26') missing the first. In the 27th minute, Simon Seidl went down after a tackle with David Gugganig, but referee Julian Weinberger rescinded the penalty decision after a VAR check.

BW Linz coach Gerald Scheiblehner

(Bild: GEPA)

Shortly afterwards, however, the 5,000 fans in the stadium on the Donaulände were able to cheer. A Pirkl cross went past friend and foe and ended up with Ronivaldo, who shot in dryly for his tenth goal of the season (31'). Carelessness in the blue and white defense allowed the Tyroleans to equalize, Nik Prelec was able to head in a cross unhindered from the five (40').

Equalizer was not to be
Gerald Scheiblehner's side nevertheless went into the break with a lead, as Manuel Maranda was in the right place in the 42nd minute. WSG goalkeeper Adam Stejskal fended off a Pasic shot, the ball bounced off the central defender's leg and from there into the goal.

Linz did not let off the gas in the second half and increased the lead to 3:1 with a deflected shot from Kristijan Dobras (51'). After just over an hour, the Tyroleans stepped up their attacking efforts, initially without becoming dangerous. However, Denis Tomic scored the equalizer after a fine combination (77'). However, the visitors no longer had a chance to equalize.

Comments:

 Gerald Scheiblehner (Linz coach): "I have to congratulate my team. We played with a lot of passion and intensity. The ball was often in the opponent's penalty area. I had the impression that we wanted the win a bit more than our opponents. We are very happy with the result and the game itself. We still have two great games ahead of us and want to continue our run."

Thomas Silberberger (Tirol coach): "I think the spectators saw a really cool match today. Blau-Weiß were more aggressive and wanted the win more. Overall, we were too careless. All in all, it was a deserved win for Blau-Weiß. I think Blau-Weiß can still jump up to second place."